The kidnappers’ of a reverend father in Edo State are demanding a ransom of N200 million to release.
Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode who is the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Ivhianokpodi, Aghenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Rev. Fr. , was abducted in Sunday during the evening mass.
According to Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, who confirmed the ransom demand in a text message to journalists in Benin City stated, “It is true”.
It was gathered that the kidnappers contacted the Auchi Catholic Diocese on Monday, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million to release the priest.
Two students were also abducted during the operation amid sporadic shootings. However, the priest pleaded with the kidnappers to release them and take only him.
The hoodlums obliged him and freed the students but took the priest away.
A source revealed: “As at yesterday, negotiation was yet to commence with the kidnappers and I don’t know whether the Catholic family will discuss ransom negotiation.”
Fr. Oyode’s abduction on Sunday, October 27, at about 7 pm when Priests and Seminarians of the Minor Seminary were attacked during their evening prayers and Benediction, was confirmed in a statement on Monday by Fr. Egielewa,
“In the process, the Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode, was abducted and led into the bush. However, the Vice Rector and all the seminarians have been accounted for and are safe and temporarily relocated to a safe area until security measures around the Seminary are tightened. Unfortunately, no communication has been had with the abductors yet,” the statement read.
“An official report of the incident has been lodged with the law enforcement agencies and we look forward to their assistance in securing the release of our abducted priest.
“The Catholic Diocese of Auchi requests all people of goodwill to join the faithful of the Diocese in prayers so that the abductors release Fr. Oyode unharmed.”
Reacting to the incident, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday promised that the kidnappers would be arrested.